​Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple

Epilepsy Center

Page Content

​​​​​​​​​The Epilepsy Center at Baylor Scott & White – Temple has the prestigious designation as a National Association of Epilepsy Center​ and offers advanced epilepsy treatment to patients afflicted with this condition.

The center is equipped with long-term epilepsy monitoring beds, each with a 24-hour video EEG monitoring system. The epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) features:

Single rooms

An electroencephalogram (EEG)

A fully computerized digital recording system for video and sound, monitored by nurses with specialized training in epilepsy and EEG technicians

Abilities to record, evaluate, diagnose and treat seizures in patients of all ages

The information obtained from this monitoring allows the epilepsy team to recommend therapy to treat a seizure disorder. This may include medication, lifestyle changes, vagus nerve stimulatoror surgical treatment.

Our staff watches the video monitors at all times. Every day, the video and EEG records will be reviewed, and the doctor will discuss the findings and the ongoing plan. This may include going home sooner or staying longer than originally predicted.

What to bring:

Personal care items such as soap, toothpaste and toiletries

Books, toys, board games, battery-operated games, schoolwork, videos, etc., to help pass the time. For children, a Child Life Specialist may be called for other activity suggestions

Comfortable clothing that can be removed with the EEG electrodes in place, such as button-front shirts or pajamas. A hospital gown may be worn, if preferred. Dark-colored clothing is preferred to improve video quality. Avoid nylon or satin material which may cause static and interfere with the EEG monitoring

All of the medications you take, whether for seizures or other reasons

What to expect:

EEG leads will be attached to your head for the entire time you are admitted. This is like a routine EEG with the addition of a long cable to allow movement around the room. You will be able to wash up in the bathroom, but not shower or wash your hair.

You will be required to stay in view of the video cameras in your room or the day room, except while in the bathroom.

Seizure medications may be decreased or stopped during admission to increase the chances of having seizures. For most patients, intravenous (IV) access is established to be able to give medication quickly to stop a seizure if it goes on too long.

TV and local phone service are provided at no charge. Cell phones may not be used because of interference with the monitoring.

Visiting hours are normally 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If exceptions are needed, please discuss with the nursing staff. Children may visit for brief periods of time but cannot stay with family members.

Smoking is not permitted at Scott & White. Because you will not be allowed to leave the EMU floor, you will not be able to go outside to smoke. Nicotine patches are available over the counter or through your primary care provider.

Admission to the monitoring unit allows for a patient’s seizures to be recorded, characterized and localized. Our multidisciplinary team will attempt to determine the cause of the seizures, if possible, and will use the available technology to establish a localization of the area of the brain where the seizure begins. The center also has capability for short-term EEG monitoring, which does not require a hospital admission.

Other special services include advanced neuroimaging techniques, such as

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

The results obtained from our multidisciplinary team provide the basis for a treatment plan that may consist of continued observation, prescribing a new seizure medication or modifying present medication regimen, as well as possible surgical intervention.